GoFundMe campaign for Stouffville mayor's chain of office reaches goal

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 18, 2017
By Fakiha Baig

A GoFundMe page set up for Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Justin Altmann, after his controversial purchase of a replica chain of office using taxpayer money, has reached its fundraising goal. Altmann says he couldn't be happier.

"It's good to see people taking notice and action in their town," the mayor told the Star in a phone interview.

Altmann said there have been a lot of defamation attempts from council in regards to the chain and he said it's good to see people taking a stand.

The debate over the chain began last year.

Council passed a policy to limit the use of the town's original chain of office by the mayor after he let Whitchurch-Stouffville's beloved mascot, Smiley, a blind therapy dog, wear the chain along with other community members. The mayor also sported the chain at a wedding and while on a summer trip to Igoma, Tanzania, when he met the local mayor.

Some on council believed it could only be worn by the mayor at official council events within the municipality's boundaries.

After it was revealed that the mayor used taxpayer money to purchase a replica chain of office with a price tag of $1,949, the controversy grew. He has called it the "people's community chain."

On Thursday, a GoFundMe page called "Pay for the People's Chain" was created "to pay the town back" for the cost of the replica chain and had raised more than $1,960 as of 10:45 p.m. Friday.

"People are against the purchase to put negative light on the mayor," said Amy Davies, a representative of the campaign.

"This whole thing is such a disgrace. It's no different than when little boys or girls want to be a policeman or a fireman. They feel special when they go to a fire house, so when they wear the chain, they feel special and feel like a mayor."

As for the money raised, Altmann said the cheque can be brought to the town's treasurer who will accept it on behalf of the city. The GoFundMe page suggests extra funds may be donated to a local food bank or a family in need.

Suzanne Craig, the integrity commissioner, has said the purchase of the chain would not violate any rules as long as Altmann made it clear to the public that it was not the chain of office.

But some councillors say the mayor's use of the chain is misleading.

"I find it very disrespectful that the mayor wears this new chain anywhere. I think that any member of the public who does not know that it was not the real chain would nonetheless believe it to be so," Councillor Hugo Kroon told the Star in an earlier interview. "In that regard, the mayor is intentionally confusing the residents by wearing this new chain anywhere in the public.

"It is simply a simple fashion accessory the mayor wears for his own purposes, whatever they may be.

Some were critical of the fundraising drive on the GoFundMe page.

"All the good causes out there and you donate for some wanna-be-king to wear a chain around his neck," a commentator named Wendy Goldup wrote. "Obviously there are no hungry children or homeless people in Stouffville. Now I am going to go donate to a worthy cause."

Others were more supportive.

"I was thinking that the best thing for all would be to crowd fund this chain," Matthew Smith wrote. "Well done!! The mayor of Stouffville is a great man. Keep up the good work."

The mayor stirred controversy earlier this year when a "CSI-style" wall of photos in his office washroom was revealed. The photos included local residents, former employees and politicians as well as Toronto Star reporter Noor Javed.

In September, Altmann defended his use of the chain and his wall describing it as his "mind map."